Overview
- President Donald Trump alleged that Russia, China, Pakistan and North Korea are conducting nuclear tests and urged U.S. testing in response, according to Indian media reports of his interviews.
- Pakistan rejected the accusation and said it would not be the first to resume tests, while China dismissed the claim and reiterated its No First Use stance and support for the CTBT.
- Indian debate has resurfaced over nuclear doctrine as the country maintains No First Use and a self-imposed test moratorium since 1998.
- A retired Indian security official said analysts believe China is moving toward a launch-on-warning posture, with additional concerns tied to China’s reported 2021 FOBS trial and growing stockpiles.
- The reported assertions of covert testing by Pakistan and others remain uncorroborated by independent monitoring or official confirmation.